Reviews

The Gifts of Reading by Robert Macfarlane

kaithrin's review against another edition

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inspiring medium-paced

4.75

Beautifully written, as ever, by Robert Macfarlane & a real encouragement for me to change the way I conceptualise books as objects, both to keep & to share

zoemitchell's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing sad fast-paced

4.0

8797999's review against another edition

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5.0

A short read, but a very enjoyable and impactful read. A book about books and reading and gifts. The gift of a book and how that can impact one's life. 

Don was a friend everyone would have been lucky to have, and in a way everyone here on Goodreads who we interact with is our own Don, gifting us new reads with the new books we are exposed to through our updates.

Thanks to this book, I have two new ones to read and I hope enjoy (from his five books he gifts to others I have read three and thoroughly enjoyed them).

A great little read and love letter about books and their impact.

When I read 'A Time of Gifts' I will give thanks to both Don and Robert Macfarlane.

alexandramilne's review

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emotional hopeful informative inspiring medium-paced

4.0

frankensteinscreature's review against another edition

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4.0

I quite agree

zoesinclair's review

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emotional inspiring reflective fast-paced

4.0

A short essay on the joys of reading and gifting books.

For such a small book, it really packs a punch. This was such an interesting take to read, especially as someone who loves giving books as gifts. MacFarlane explores this idea through his relationship with his friend Don, as they gift books to each other over the course of their friendship. Reading about the different contexts in which they were gifting books (in gratitude, in apology, in sympathy), was so interesting, especially when we consider how as a capitalist society the idea of a gift economy is so alien to us. MacFarlane also talks about having a supply of several copies of some of his favourite books so that he always has something on hand to give to people, which is such a good idea! This book itself would be a great gift to give to someone, and will definitely be on my list of recommendations for people who like reading books about books.

📖 “‘Reading kept him alive,’ she said, ‘Right till the end.’” 📖

rolfesque's review

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5.0

Beautiful essay I could relate to very much, an ode to the love of books and reading and the giving of presents (books of course).
Fittingly I received it as a present from a friend who likes to read as well.

sembray's review against another edition

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reflective medium-paced

3.0

coco43cl's review

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inspiring fast-paced

4.0

lottemarleen's review against another edition

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5.0

A beautiful essay on how giving and receiving books can impact someone's life. Highly recommend.